Anaemia cases decrease in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district

Recent government initiatives have led to a notable decrease in anaemia cases in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district. This improvement is part of a broader effort by both the state and Central governments to enhance health and living standards for underprivileged communities. A comprehensive study is being conducted by the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in partnership with several organizations, including IAVI India, the Institute of Economic Growth, and UNICEF. The research covers 12 districts across six states and focuses on children aged 6 to 59 months, women of reproductive age, and adolescent girls. The study will analyze changes in anaemia rates from 2015 to 2021. In Andhra Pradesh, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram were chosen for this study. It will also evaluate the impact of the Anaemia Mukt Bharat program, launched by the Indian government in 2018. Important officials from various health organizations are supervising the research. The findings so far suggest that successful government programs, such as the Mid-Day Meal scheme and the Integrated Child Development Services, have played a crucial role in addressing anaemia. These initiatives have improved diets and provided better access to resources for communities, particularly for tribal populations. On Friday, a Central team met with district collector BR Ambedkar to discuss the factors contributing to the decline in anaemia cases in Vizianagaram.